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Tag: Snohomish County

  • WA man accused of pretending to be Edmonds officer due in court

    Bremerton, wash – A man accused of pretending to be an Edmonds police officer is expected to make an appearance in Kitsap County Court this week. 

    Bremerton police say they arrested Michael Scaletta-Teates last week after he showed up at a police scene, dressed as a cop, and  wearing what looked like a fake Edmond’s Police Department badge.  

    Witnesses who saw him arrested say he was taken into custody in the parking area behind a Salvation Army Shelter in Bremerton.

    “We saw the cops pull up and put him in silver handcuffs and everything,” said J. Void, who lives at the Salvation Army Shelter in Bremerton. 

    Void is one of nearly a dozen residents that we talked to there who say they witnessed Michael Scaletta-Teates being taken into custody in the parking area. 

    They also say he was in an SUV that looked like an official law enforcement vehicle. 

    “He pulled in. It was a dark blue SUV with tinted windows, could not see inside, and a strange set of lights attached to the top and the sides,” said Void. “He was wearing police gear.”  

    Residents who saw the badge say it looked real.  

    They also tell FOX 13 he had checked people in at the shelter the night before the arrest, while acting as a security agent.  

    “He performed wand checks on everyone as a normal security guard would do, but he was very nervous,” said Void. 

    Bremerton Police say they were first alerted to the case after Teates arrived at a police scene in an unmarked Ford Explorer with blue police lights.  

    He identified himself as an off-duty Edmonds Police detective, according to police, and wore body armor and what investigator described as a metallic Edmonds Police badge. 

    Police say they investigated and say officers learned he was a convicted felon who had been running security for a nearby business while committing “law enforcement acts” in the downtown corridor.  

    He was taken into custody with a firearm and a large amount of police equipment, according to the Bremerton police at around 6:30 a.m. Friday. 

    “His lights did come on at one point, and they flashed red, green, blue and yellow,” said Void recounting what she noticed about his vehicle. 

    Void and other residents say the Stephen Group International typically runs security for the Salvation Army shelter.  While FOX 13’s crews were talking to residents there Sunday, two men who appeared to be security guards who were wearing “Stephen Group International” patches, approached the crew and told them they had to leave the Salvation Army parking lot.  They also stated they couldn’t comment on the arrest. 

    FOX 13 reached out to the Stephen Group International and left a message, asking if Teates worked for the company, and we are waiting to hear back. 

    Other non-security staff who appeared to be working inside the shelter also told FOX 13 they couldn’t comment on the arrest.

    “This is just scary to see this happen in the place that I call home,” said Void.  

    Bremerton Police say if you suspect someone is impersonating an officer, these are some tips to stay safe;

    1. You can ask the officer for their name and badge number. 

    2. Call 911 and ask if the name and badge number given is valid. 

    3. Call 911 and request a second officer to the traffic stop. 

    4. Call 911 and verify with them an officer is in the area.

    5. If being stopped, slow your speed, activate your signal, and pull over to a safe, well-lit area.

    BPD also released a statement:

    “The subject was booked into the Kitsap County Jail for Criminal Impersonation 1st Degree, and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm 2nd Degree. If anyone has had suspicious encounters with this subject where he was impersonating or representing himself as a police officer, please call Bremerton Police at 360-473-5220. Case number B25-004721.”

    The Source: Information in this story came from the Bremerton Police Department and original reporting by FOX 13 Seattle’s Jennifer Dowling. 

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    BremertonNewsWashingtonKitsap CountyCrime and Public SafetyEdmonds

    Jennifer.Dowling@fox.com (Jennifer Dowling)

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  • How to cruise to a 2-mile sandy beach in Everett

    Everett’s sandy island getaway

    The City of Everett has a two-mile sandy beach just a few feet from its coastline and this weekend is your last chance to ferry there this summer.

    EVERETT, Wash. – The city of Everett has a two-mile sandy beach just a few feet from its coastline, and this weekend is your last chance to ferry there this summer.

    Jetty Island

    Jetty Island is a man-made island that got its start as a way to stabilize the shoreline, protect against erosion, and control water flow back in the 1800s.

    Now, the island is a destination for tens of thousands of visitors every year.

    “It’s beautiful, it’s pristine sandy beaches,” said Kate Anderson with the Port of Everett. “You just feel like you’re in a total different place than the city of Everett.”

    Jetty Island

    What to expect

    On the island, expect warmer waters, the chance to see wildlife or even kiteboarders. However, do not expect many amenities.

    There is no electricity or plumbing, and the only structure on the island is the seasonal floating restroom. Also, there are no trash cans, so visitors are asked to bring their own bags to collect their garbage.

    Jetty Island

    From July 5 to August 31, people can reserve round-trip ferry rides on Wednesdays through Sundays. 

    The ferry departs from Jetty Landing with its first voyage at 10 a.m. and its last boats leave the island at 5:45 p.m. on Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday and 6:45 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

    Rides are available by reservation only and cost $3 on Wednesday and Thursday, and $5 on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

    While the ferry has a limited operating schedule in the summer, the island is open year-round. You just have to find your own way to get there.

    Know before you go

    • Do not bring pets, alcohol or glass containers
    • Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult
    • Build campfires ONLY in designated areas
    • No lifeguards — swim ONLY on the west shore at your own risk
    • No overnight camping
    • Jetty Island does have a specialty wheelchair on-site which functions well in the sandy environment.
    • The number of strollers, carts, and other wheeled items on the ferry is restricted due to safety concerns. Five will be allowed to and from the island and admittance will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Wheelchairs and other ADA mobility devices or aids are not restricted by this policy.

    The Source: Information in this story came from the Port of Everett and FOX 13 Seattle reporting.

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    EverettNewsThings To DoSnohomish County

    AJ.Janavel@fox.com (AJ Janavel)

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  • Lawmaker says tougher child protection laws in Washington could help save kids like Ariel Garcia in the future

    Lawmaker says tougher child protection laws in Washington could help save kids like Ariel Garcia in the future

    Call for tougher laws to protect children

    A lawmaker says the death of 4-year-old Everett boy Ariel Garcia might have been prevented were it not for a change in legislation that makes it easier for parents with drug abuse issues to keep custody of a child.

    OLYMPIA, Wash. – A lawmaker says the death of 4-year-old Everett boy Ariel Garcia might have been prevented were it not for a change in legislation that makes it easier for parents with drug abuse issues to keep custody of a child.

    Representative Travis Couture, (R) District 35, says that legislation that was introduced this session would have put measures in place to better protect kids, but much of it did not pass.  

    On March 28, the search for Ariel Garcia ended in tragedy. His mother is now behind bars, accused of stabbing him around 16 times. Detectives say his grandmother had been trying to get custody of the 4-year-old, telling court officials in an audio recording that her daughter had been using drugs and alcohol. 

    Republican Rep. Travis Couture believes stronger child protection laws might have helped Ariel. 

    “We don’t want instances like what we saw with this case with little Ariel where, you know, he’s murdered, he’s dumped like garbage on the side of I-5, like his life didn’t matter,” said Couture, a representative from the 35th District. 

    Couture feels the problem started in 2021 when the legislature passed the Keeping Families Together Act or House Bill 1227, making it more difficult for DCYF to remove juveniles from a home if the parents are addicted to drugs. The goal was to keep families together and reduce racial injustice. The law now states that the child needs to be at risk of imminent physical harm before caseworkers get involved.

    Couture proposed a rebuttable presumption bill last session, that would have classified hard drug abuse as imminent harm while allowing parents to respond in court.  

    “What we would have been able to do is more easily remove kids from those dangerous situations,” he said. 

    Instead, he said lawmakers passed a “watered-down” bill and only addressed fentanyl. 

    “What that bill did is only for fentanyl and nothing else, no other drugs,” he said. 

    Couture says his bill might have also helped with an intervention in the case of Jordan Sorensen, a Port Townsend man who admitted that he hid his infant’s body in the bushes in January.  

    Couture says the death of children like Ariel could continue to rise without changes. 

     “The mother had been involved with CPS before, was known to use drugs, had something like my bill been in place, that death might have been prevented,” said Couture. 

    He plans to work on legislation before the next session to attempt to strengthen child protection laws and could pre-file in December.       

    More on Ariel Garcia’s case

    Docs: WA mother stabbed son 16+ times, repeatedly lied to police

    Everett missing child: Grandma granted emergency custody days prior, docs say

    AMBER Alert criteria: Why one wasn’t sent for Everett missing boy found dead

    Timeline: Missing 4-year-old boy Ariel Garcia’s body believed found near Everett

    Everett Police locate body, believed to be missing 4-year-old boy

    Jennifer.Dowling@fox.com (Jennifer Dowling)

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  • Mother stabbed son 16+ times, ditched body near JBLM: docs

    Mother stabbed son 16+ times, ditched body near JBLM: docs

    What we know so far about the death of 4-year-old Ariel Garcia

    A grandmother was granted emergency custody of her 4-year-old grandchild just days before the child was reported missing and later found dead, court documents reveal. The child’s mother was recently arrested for his murder.

    EVRETT, Wash. – The mother of a boy who was found dead repeatedly lied to police and stabbed her son over 16 times, according to court documents.

    Janet Garcia, 27, is charged with first-degree and second-degree murder, as well as assault of a child.

    Police say Garcia used a sharp force object to kill her son, Ariel, and attempted to flee south.

    Court documents state that police were initially called to an apartment that Janet and Ariel had been staying at, where the homeowners noticed a large amount of blood on the floor.

    Police arrived at the apartment and cut out the carpeting, where they found the blood had seeped into the carpet padding and onto the subflooring, leading them to believe a serious injury had occurred.

    Police say Ariel’s grandmother won emergency custody over him just days prior to him going missing.

    In a text message conversation between Janet and another woman, Janet said Ariel fell, and he took him to the hospital.

    It was later revealed that Janet was in a group home in Ridgefield, where police later contacted her.

    Court documents state that Janet’s story was filled with inconsistencies, first saying that Ariel fell from his bed, but later said that he jumped and fell.

    Janet also told police that she tried checking Ariel into two hospitals, but later left him at a friend’s house, though she couldn’t remember the house, court docs say.

    Police said they noticed what appeared to be blood on Janet’s clothes, including spots on the back of her shirt and small droplet marks on her shoes.

    The FBI used Janet’s phone to track her movements, which led them to an area south of I-5 and north of 47th Avenue SW near Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

    After a short time, agents discovered Ariel’s body wrapped in a blanket in the area. Police said there were around 16 sharp-force wounds to the front of his body, as well as a cluster of wounds to his upper back.

    Janet Garcia will be in court Monday at 1 p.m.

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  • MISSING: Search underway for 4-year-old Everett boy

    MISSING: Search underway for 4-year-old Everett boy

    4-year-old boy missing in Everett

    Everett police are searching for a missing 4-year-old boy last seen Wednesday morning.

    EVERETT, Wash. – Everett police are asking the public’s help to be on the lookout for a 4-year-old boy who was last seen Wednesday morning. 

    Police said 4-year-old Ariel Garcia was last seen at about 7 a.m. in an apartment near 4800 Vesper Drive.

    Ariel is described as 3 foot 1 inch tall, weighs about 37 pounds and has brown hair and brown eyes. 

    According to investigators, Ariel’s disappearance may be “under suspicious circumstances after” after he left the location with a family member and may be in danger. According to the Washington State Patrol, his mother has been located but Ariel’s whereabouts are unknown at this time.

    Police are talking with his mother and family. 

    An Endangered Missing Person Alert has been issued by WSP. 

    Anyone who sees Ariel is asked to call 911. 

    This is a developing story, and will be updated. 

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    To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX 13 Seattle newsletter.
     

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  • Pedestrian seriously hurt in Lynnwood hit-and-run

    Pedestrian seriously hurt in Lynnwood hit-and-run

    LYNNWOOD, Wash. – Investigators from the Washington State Patrol (WSP) are seeking the public’s help in a hit-and-run incident that seriously injured a pedestrian.

    The crash happened on March 19 at 8:51 p.m. on State Route 99 in Lynnwood. The location was identified just south of the 148th Street intersection.

    WSP said a vehicle was heading south in the center lane of SR 99 at the time of the incident. The pedestrian, identified by her family as 30-year-old Taylor Druliner, was crossing from east to west when they were struck. After the collision, the vehicle did not stop and fled the scene.

    Hit-and-run victim Taylor Druliner, 30.

    As a part of their ongoing investigation, patrol officers have been examining security footage obtained from nearby businesses. The footage reveals an image of a vehicle of interest. The car caught on camera is described as a dark-colored sedan, possibly a Toyota Corolla.

    image of suspect vehicle

    Screenshot taken from surveillance video showing a suspect vehicle. (Washington State Patrol)

    Detective Dan Comnick is in charge of the case. WSP detectives are hopeful that anyone who witnessed the collision or has any information regarding the vehicle that fled the scene will come forward to assist their investigation. Detective Comnick can be reached by phone at (360) 654-1144 or via email at Daniel.comnick@wsp.wa.gov.

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    AJ.Janavel@fox.com (AJ Janavel)

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  • Hyundai announces anti-theft upgrades, at no cost to car owners

    Hyundai announces anti-theft upgrades, at no cost to car owners

    article

    FILE IMAGE – The interior of a Hyundai Motor Co. Santa Fe SUV is seen during a launch event for the updated vehicle in Goyang, South Korea, on Feb. 21, 2018. ((SeongJoon Cho/Bloomberg via Getty Images))

    TACOMA, Wash. – Hyundai is providing free anti-theft upgrades at local dealers across Western Washington.

    Hyundais and Kias have featured in many headlines lately, owing to security quirks — like push-button ignitions — that allow them to be easily stolen and used in smash-and-grab robberies around the region. FOX 13 News has extensively covered the ‘Kia Boyz’ TikTok trend that explained how to steal older-model Hyundais and Kias using only a USB drive.

    Since then, we have seen a spate of smash-and-grabs mostly involving stolen Kias and Hyundais.

    PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Kia Boyz TikTok Challenge: Pierce County warns public after robbery suspects fled in stolen Kia

    Authorities urge owners of Hyundai models between 2011–2022 to check if their car is eligible for a free anti-theft security upgrade.

    Specifically, the vehicle models include:

    • 2018–2022 Accent
    • 2011–2022 Elantra
    • 2013–2020 Elantra GT
    • 2013–2014 Genesis Coupe
    • 2018–2022 Kona
    • 2020–2021 Palisade
    • 2013–2022 Santa Fe
    • 2013–2018 Santa Fe Sport
    • 2019 Santa Fe XL
    • 2011–2019 Sonata
    • 2011–2022 Tucson
    • 2012–2017, 2019–2021 Veloster
    • 2020–2021 Venue

    If your car qualifies, you can visit one of four dealers to get your free upgrade. There are no appointments or registration required. Technicians will complete the software upgrade in less than 30 minutes.

    PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Free wheel locks available for KIA and Hyundai owners impacted by car theft trend

    Hours are between 8 a.m.–6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and between 8 a.m.–2 p.m. Sunday. Locations include:

    • Tacoma Dome; East D Street between Tacoma Dome and Lemay America’s Car Museum (Saturday hours end at 5 p.m.)
    • Factoria Mall; Factoria Blvd SE, Bellevue WA 98006
    • Doug’s Hyundai; 22130 Hwy 99, Edmonds WA 98026 (Saturday hours are 9 a.m.–3 p.m.)
    • Robert Larson Hyundai; 7601 S. Tacoma Way, Tacoma WA 98409 (Saturday hours end at 5 p.m.)

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  • Southbound I-5 lanes near Everett blocked due to crashes

    Southbound I-5 lanes near Everett blocked due to crashes

    EVERETT, Wash. – Two multi-car crashes are blocking lanes of southbound I-5 near Everett on Monday morning. 

    The crashes happened just north of Marine View Drive. 

    (Washington State Department of Transportation)

    It’s not known how many cars are involved.

    Washington State Patrol Trooper Kelsey Harding said crews are working to clear the crash scenes. 

    Officials with the Washington State Department of Transportation said the backups are about 6 miles long.

    Drivers are advised to take alternate routes. 

    This is a developing story and will be updated. 

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  • Memorial service for fallen Trooper Gadd scheduled for Tuesday

    Memorial service for fallen Trooper Gadd scheduled for Tuesday

    Support pours in for trooper hit and killed by alleged DUI driver

    Over the weekend, investigators say Raul Benitez Santana crashed his car into 27-year-old Trooper Christopher Gadd and killed him. FOX 13 News obtained probable cause documents which say Benitez Santana had bloodshot eyes and admitted to drinking and smoking weed before driving.

    EVERETT, Wash. – The Washington State Patrol (WSP) announced the memorial service for fallen Trooper Christopher M. Gadd will be on Tuesday, March 12. 

    In a news release, WSP said the event will be at the Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett. 

    The service will be open to the public with a ceremonial procession preceding the memorial. 

    (Washington State Patrol)

    WSP said it would release more details about the procession and service in the coming days.

    >> Driver admitted to drinking, smoking weed before killing WSP trooper in crash, docs say

    Gadd, 27, was struck and killed by a suspected DUI driver on I-5 in Marysville on Saturday.

    Probable cause documents said the man accused, Raul Benitez Santana, had bloodshot eyes and admitted to drinking and smoking weed before driving.

    U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said Seattle Enforcement and Removal Operations placed an immigration detainer with the Snohomish County Jail for Benitez Santana, who is a citizen of Mexico.

    Man accused of killing trooper in crash appears in court

    Investigators say Benitez Santana crashed his car into 27-year-old Trooper Christopher Gadd and killed him. The incident happened early Saturday morning.

    ICE issues immigration detainers against non-citizens who have been arrested for criminal activity and taken into custody by state or local law enforcement. It’s a request from ICE to state or local law enforcement agencies to notify ICE as early as possible before a removable non-citizen is released.

    Marysville mourns loss of trooper killed in I-5 crash

    Washington State Patrol is mourning the loss of Christopher M. Gadd, a 27-year-old trooper who was killed in the line of duty early Saturday morning.

    Gadd had been with WSP for two and a half years, starting back on Sept. 16, 2021. 

    The Washington State Patrol Memorial Foundation was created for Gadd’s family and there are multiple ways to make donations. 

    • Using Venmo, donations can be sent to @WSP-MemorialFoundation. Please note “Trooper Gadd” in the note section. (If last 4 is requested, use 4411)
    • Go into any Chase Bank Branch and make a check deposit into the “Washington State Patrol Memorial Foundation” account. “Trooper Gadd” should be noted on the check note line.
    • Using your own bank, you can log in online or through your mobile app and make a donation using Zelle. Donations can be sent to our WSPMF number, 360-597-4411, or email, wspmemorialfoundation@gmail.com. Please note “Trooper Gadd”. All donations received will be held for the family. There are no fees with using Zelle.
    • You can mail a check made out to WSPMF with “Trooper Gadd” on the note line to: WSP Memorial Foundation, PO Box 901, Prosser, WA 99350

    The foundation said 100% of the donations received will be given directly to the family. 

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  • Man accused of killing trooper is not a U.S. citizen: ICE

    Man accused of killing trooper is not a U.S. citizen: ICE

    Support pours in for trooper hit and killed by alleged DUI driver

    Over the weekend, investigators say Raul Benitez Santana crashed his car into 27-year-old Trooper Christopher Gadd and killed him. FOX 13 News obtained probable cause documents which say Benitez Santana had bloodshot eyes and admitted to drinking and smoking weed before driving.

    MARYSVILLE, Wash. – The man accused of crashing his car into a Washington State Patrol Trooper and killing him is not a U.S. citizen, officials said Tuesday. 

    Over the weekend, investigators say Raul Benitez Santana crashed his car into 27-year-old Trooper Christopher Gadd and killed him. FOX 13 News obtained probable cause documents which say Benitez Santana had bloodshot eyes and admitted to drinking and smoking weed before driving.

    U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said Seattle Enforcement and Removal Operations placed an immigration detainer with the Snohomish County Jail for Benitez Santana, who is a citizen of Mexico. 

    WSP honors fallen trooper, hit and killed in Marysville

    As a memorial grows outside Washington State Patrol’s District Office in Marysville for Trooper Christopher Gadd, a non-profit is raising money for the family he leaves behind.

    ICE issues immigration detainers against non-citizens who have been arrested for criminal activity and taken into custody by state or local law enforcement. It’s a request from ICE to state or local law enforcement agencies to notify ICE as early as possible before a removable non-citizen is released.

    According to an ICE official, Benitez Santana entered the U.S. without admission or parole by an immigration officer. He was encountered by ERO Seattle in 2013 at the South Correctional Entity in Burien, following his arrest for failure to appear for driving with a suspended license. 

    Benitez Santana behind bars on $1 million bail.

    A fundraiser has been created for Trooper Gadd’s family.

    There are 4 ways to make donations for the Gadd family:

    1. Using Venmo, donations can be sent to @WSP-MemorialFoundation. Please note “Trooper Gadd” in the note section. (If last 4 is requested, use 4411)​
    2. Go into any Chase Bank Branch and make a check deposit into the “Washington State Patrol Memorial Foundation” account. “Trooper Gadd” should be noted on the check note line.
    3. Using your own bank, you can log in online or through your mobile app and make a donation using Zelle. Donations can be sent to our WSPMF number, 360-597-4411, or email, wspmemorialfoundation@gmail.com. Please note “Trooper Gadd”. All donations received will be held for the family. There are no fees with using Zelle.​
    4. You can mail a check made out to WSPMF with “Trooper Gadd” on the note line to:

    WSP Memorial Foundation 

    PO Box 901

    Prosser, WA 99350

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  • Trooper killed in I-5 crash near Marysville

    Trooper killed in I-5 crash near Marysville

    WSP trooper killed in crash, suspect in custody

    Washington State Patrol is mourning the loss of Trooper Chris Gadd, who died in a crash early Saturday morning near Marysville.

    MARYSVILLE, Wash. – The Washington State Patrol (WSP) trooper who died in a three-vehicle crash on Interstate 5 near Marysville early Saturday morning has been identified.

    WSP said Christopher M. Gadd, 27, was on patrol searching for speeding and DUI drivers when he was hit and killed. According to the agency he had been with WSP for two and a half years, starting back on September 16, 2021.

    “Chris’s passing is a devastating loss to his family who knows all too well about the risks of public safety servants,” said WSP Chief John Batiste.

    Gadd is survived by his wife, Cammryn, daughter Kaelyn, father WSP Trooper David Gadd, mother Gillian and sister, Jacqueline, who currently serves as a trooper with the Texas Department of Public Safety, according to WSP.

    “I can tell you that across the entire Washington State Patrol, every head is bowed, every knee is bent, and every heart is broken as we mourn this loss,” added Batiste.

    Since news of his death, various law enforcement agencies have sent their condolences to Gadd’s family and colleagues.

    According to investigators with the Snohomish County Sherrif’s Office, Gadd was killed when his vehicle was hit by a motorist just before 3 a.m. on southbound Interstate 5 near 136th Street North.

    Investigators said a man in an SUV was driving southbound when the vehicle veered off the roadway onto the shoulder where it struck the parked WSP patrol car, the SUV driver was driving at a high speed when he crashed into Gadd’s WSP patrol car.

    FOX 13 has learned a van with six passengers was also involved in the crash. It reportedly crashed into the SUV. The driver was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The other passengers were not injured.

    A 32-year-old Lynnwood man was evaluated and taken into custody for vehicular homicide.

    Outside State Patrol Headquarters a makeshift memorial has been set up for Trooper Gadd.

    All day supporters came by to drop off flowers and pray.

    “We always just try to pay our respects,” said Anna Utley from Marysville, who dropped off a large bouquet of flowers with her father Matt. 

    “We live here,” said Matt. “We live in this community. I ran into him a couple of times. He was just a nice guy. He was so young. This is so sad.”

    This is a developing story.

    Nikki.Torres@fox.com (Nikki Torres)

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  • Snohomish County pharmacy technician accused of stealing thousands of oxycodone pills

    Snohomish County pharmacy technician accused of stealing thousands of oxycodone pills

    SNOHOMISH COUNTY, Wash. – A pharmacy technician in Snohomish County had her license suspended on Friday after being accused of stealing thousands of oxycodone pills.

    Rachel H. Langdon is charged with diverting oxycodone on multiple occasions while working in a retail pharmacy.

    Langdon allegedly manually edited entries in the computer system to conceal the theft without explanation. She may have also used log-in credentials for other employees to make the changes.

    A total of 2,900 oxycodone pills were missing, 2,500 of which were attributable to entries made under Landon’s credentials, according to the charges.

    Langdon cannot practice in Washington until the charges are resolved.

    She has 20 days to respond to the charges and ask for a hearing.

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  • Two arrested, third suspect sought in Edmonds car theft and home burglary

    Two arrested, third suspect sought in Edmonds car theft and home burglary


    Stolen car chase turned “home invasion”?

    Two people are behind bars after allegedly stealing a car then breaking into a home in Edmonds Saturday evening.

    EDMONDS, Wash. – Two people are behind bars after allegedly stealing a car and then breaking into a home in Edmonds Saturday evening. Police tell FOX 13 they are still looking for a third suspect.

    Police initially alerted the public about the incident on X at 9:02 pm. The post stated that, “multiple suspects fled from a stolen vehicle and into an innocent person’s residence.”

    FOX 13 spoke with the homeowner off-camera.

    He asked not to be identified but said, “I immediately ran outside with my hands up. I didn’t have to call police because they were already there.”

    This all went down in the 8700 block of Main Street.

    After a few hours of calling for the suspects to come out of the home, police say both surrendered and were taken into custody.

    On Sunday, Edmonds police said they arrested a 45-year-old woman from Lakewood and a 28-year-old man from Spanaway. Both were booked for residential burglary and resisting arrest.

    Investigators said they are looking for a third suspect.

    “A 29-year-old female from Lakewood has been positively identified and charged will be referred for investigation of residential burglary,” said the police department on X. “She is also the primary suspect in a separate vehicle thefts that occurred overnight after the initial search concluded.”

    Suspects could face additional charges for possession of a stolen vehicle, according to police.

    This is a developing story, check back for updates.



    Dave.Detling@fox.com (Dave Detling)

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  • Mom of missing Washington teen says her daughter’s ‘trying to sort this all out’ after being rescued in MI

    Mom of missing Washington teen says her daughter’s ‘trying to sort this all out’ after being rescued in MI

    Mount Vernon mother shares her own horror story to warn of internet grooming

    The mother of a 14-year-old girl who disappeared from her Mount Vernon home is speaking out after her child was found alive in Michigan, in the company of an older man she met online.

    Mount Vernon, wash. – The mother of a 14-year-old girl who disappeared from Mount Vernon, Washington is speaking out after she was found alive in Michigan. 

    The teen is home, getting support from family and friends. Her accused assailant and abductor, who is also a convicted sex offender, has been arrested. 

    She says her daughter is readjusting to life back at home after the frightening ordeal.

    “It’s confusing being a 14-year-old girl without something like this happening to you,” said Sarah Merrill, the teen’s mom. 

    Merrill says suspect Keith Freerksen was talking with her daughter online, telling her to delete any trace of him before she disappeared. She feels fortunate to have her back alive. 

    “She went out her window, her bedroom window,” said Merrill.

    Merrill contracted police after she realized she was gone on a Saturday morning in early January. 

    “She had taken some clothes and belongings with her. I immediately started looking for her, went to a friend’s house, and it was that first friend’s house where I first heard the concern that she may have been speaking to a man online,” said Merrill. 

    After more than three weeks of waiting, investigators tracked down the teen and the man accused of abusing her, thousands of miles away near South Haven, Michigan. 

    “As more and more time went on, I was worried that we weren’t going to find her in good health or even alive,” said Merrill.  

    Merrill said clues found under a ride-share app that the girl had used at some point, reportedly helped to lead police to Freerksen.  Merrill says that a car found in his driveway was also tracked on a trip to Washington and back. 

    “A lot of big hugs, big tears,” said Merrill 

    Investigators in Van Buren County say Freerksen is accused of grooming her online using several apps. 

    “They did move to other platforms to continue communication after Omegle shut down,” said Merrill. 

    Although Merrill monitored her social media usage and had limited her use of the internet at home and school, there were loopholes. 

    “He was instructing her to delete history, and so she was deleting history. There wasn’t a lot to go on,” said Merrill. “She also had put him in, as an Alexa contact and was using that in her room. I did not fully understand until, in hindsight, she was able to add a contact, and then deleted and removed all the contact through Alexa as well.”

    She says her daughter opened up about some things after arriving back home, but says it’s going to be a long road. She says she is going to have to recover physically and psychologically after living through a traumatic experience.

    “She is relieved to be home. She did miss her family and friends, and she’s just trying to sort this all out,” she said. 

    Merrill says that detectives and CPS workers in Michigan were incredibly supportive and kind. She says Freerksen is facing nearly 10 felony charges in Michigan. He has a criminal history in Florida as well, where he was convicted of sexual offenses. 

     “My first warning is to teenagers. Anything can happen. Nobody’s safe from it. If you are in an odd situation, let someone know,” said Merrill. “If you are concerned or get a weird feeling, if you know a friend that is getting themselves into a situation, don’t ignore it. Don’t let it go by. Predators are out there, and you aren’t safe from them.”  



    Jennifer.Dowling@fox.com (Jennifer Dowling)

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